DfT has outlined plans for GB type approval following a consultation on incorporating international rules into GB type approval for road vehicles. 

The consultation was opened in November 2024, the same month that the CIHT report Progressing the UK towards Safe System implementation was published. The report made a number of recommendations to improve road safety outcomes in the UK, including the introduction of the EU's General Safety Regulation, which mandates the use of 19 advanced safety technologies, such as advanced emergency braking and intelligent speed assistance, in new vehicles.

Lord Hendy, Minister of State for Rail, recently told the house of lords,

The Government have commissioned analysis to determine which of those technologies are right for Great Britain. This is under really active consideration at the moment.

Vehicle type approval is the confirmation that production samples of a type of vehicle, vehicle system, component or separate technical unit will meet specified performance standards. In order for a vehicle to go on sale, it must first be type approved.

The DfT’s consultation sought views on updating a number of requirements and standards, including around eCall (emergency call) systems and automated lane keeping systems (ALKS), bringing them in line with international regulatory standards. The Government’s response confirms that the following measures will be introduced to type approval:

• Updating the standards for eCall systems 
• Mandating compliance with the requirements of United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Regulation 157 on ALKS
• Updating the UNECE regulations acceptable for demonstrating compliance with requirements for the fitment of ISOFIX
• Enabling manufacturers to calculate a vehicle’s fuel and CO2 emissions
• Amending the test procedures for assessing the performance of windscreen defrost/demist and wash/wipe systems

While the Government has yet to make a decision on the adoption of the General Safety Regulation, this move to update standards to align with international regulations does represent a welcome step towards better integration of advanced safety measures in vehicles sold in Great Britain.

Margaret Winchcomb, Deputy Executive Director at PACTS and CIHT Technical Champion said:

The development of vehicle technology means that journeys made by car are significantly safer for drivers and passengers than they were a few decades ago. Setting more obligations into legislation will help; the recent update to GB type approval is welcome. However, it is just a small step towards safe roads for all road users. Adoption of the full General Safety Regulation (GSR) is the jump that has to be made, and soon. This transformative package of vehicle safety measures would protect all road users—both inside and outside the vehicle. Other countries are already reaping the benefits. Why can’t we do the same in Great Britain?